{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"14-3 Artifacts and Aspirations \u2013 Trek\u2019s Smithsonian Legacy","description":"How did Star Trek go from television soundstage to national treasure? This week, we continue our conversation with Glen Swanson, former NASA historian and author of Inspired Enterprise, to explore a deeper chapter in Trek\u2019s relationship with the Smithsonian. Through an exchange of letters between Gene Roddenberry and F.C. Durant, Assistant Director of the National Air and Space Museum, we trace the efforts to secure original Star Trek props and artifacts\u2014including what would ultimately bring the 11-foot U.S.S. Enterprise model into the museum\u2019s collection. Beyond acquisition logistics, these letters reveal Durant\u2019s belief in the inspirational power of Star Trek, how its optimistic vision of the future helped fuel real-world enthusiasm for space exploration. From ZAP pistols to starship models, this is the story of how Star Trek boldly went into the Smithsonian\u2026 and stayed. \ud83d\udcc4 Documents and additional references: 1970\u20131972 correspondence between Gene Roddenberry and the Smithsonian\u2019s National Air and Space Museum \ud83d\udcd8 Guest\u2019s book: Inspired Enterprise by Glen E. Swanson The Trek Files Season 14 on Memory Alpha All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise. The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today! ","author_name":"The Trek Files: A Roddenberry Star Trek Podcast","author_url":"http:\/\/thetrekfiles.com","html":"